In 2004, they released their first wine, Terlato & Chapoutier Shiraz, Malakoff Vineyard. The family joined with friend, business partner and renowned Rhone winemaker Michel Chapoutier, to create an Australian winery, Domaine Terlato & Chapoutier. The business had grown consistently, doubling annual sales every five years for the past three decades.”The change to Terlato Wines International highlights our family’s ongoing dedication to the wine business and recognizes our father as an industry icon,” said William Terlato. ‘2000s – In 2000, the company officially changed its name to Terlato Wine Group. They followed that with the acquisition of the iconic Stags Leap District winery, Chimney Rock, and later, majority share purchases of Alderbrook in Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma and then the Sanford Winery in Santa Rita Hills.įrom left: Bill Terlato, Michel Chapoutier, Tony, and John Terlato They bought their first winery, Merlot specialist Rutherford Hill, in 1996. Together, Terlato and his sons worked the company’s impressive portfolio, which would include expanding into the domestic market and becoming owners and producers. Upon the purchase, John Terlato commissioned a two-year restoration of the estate in order to make it their own, adding a restaurant-style kitchen designed by Chef Jean Joho to provide meals for the many industry guests, as well as to continue the fine dining tradition Tony established in the early days. Armour and his wife, Gwendolin it took 16 years to complete. It was custom-built, started in 1916 by meat-packing heir Philip D. ‘90s – In 1995, the parent company, International Products, purchased Tangley Oaks, a Tudor Gothic mansion in Lake Bluff, Illinois, to serve as its corporate headquarters. These opportunities led to the closing of the bottling operation so they could concentrate on importing and distribution. Schoonmaker was the author of “Wines of Germany” and “The Encyclopedia of Wine.” PWC now had the two most important wine authorities in the portfolio. The association with Alexis Lichine led to the association with Frank Schoonmaker Selections. This was a huge boost to PWC’s portfolio and allowed them to be immersed in the fine French wine business. The evening resulted in an agreement to have Pacific Wine Company import his magnificent portfolio, which included super-premium Burgundies and classified French Bordeaux wines. Alexis was one of the most respected négociants and exporters in France, and he took an almost immediate liking to Tony. In 1959, Tony had a chance meeting with Alexis Lichine, author of “The Wines of France” at a dinner in New York. The lineup included what would become some of the most important wines of the time, such as Bolla Veronese wines, Lancers, Mateus, Blue Nun and Mouton Cadet. It was very successful and helped him gain distribution on a number of his premium brands and drew him even closer to the restaurateur.Īs they grew, Pacific Wine Company started introducing imported wines to their portfolio and grew them to staggering heights. He also started a practice that is standard today: He would offer free wine list printing in support of his wines. It was there he would invite key restaurateurs and retailers to pair his fine wines with the appropriate cuisine, just as they would serve in their restaurants.The practice became a tradition and it became a sought-after invitation. Tony’s appreciation for food and wine led him to have a kitchen installed on the second floor of Pacific’s wine warehouse. Terlato worked to grow PWC into a highly-respected distributor of fine wines, and in 1963 at the age of 29, he became president of the company. A year later, Tony’s future father-in-law, Anthony Paterno, encouraged him to join his wine bottling and distribution company, the Pacific Wine Company. It was a successful operation selling imported wines and spirits to the luxury wine consumers. In 1955 Tony worked for his father, Salvatore Terlato, in his wine shop, Leading Liquor Marts, on the north side of Chicago. Tony Terlato is, and has been for some time, one of the most important people in the wine business. “If you do business because of price, someone will come along with a better price and steal your business.” – Tony Terlato
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